Sheet feeder



Jan. 28, 1930.

G. R. SWART ET AL SHEET FEEDER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Filed Jan. 2. 1925 o' no Jan. 28, 1930. G. R. SWART ET .AL

SHEET FEEDER Filed Jan. 2. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTORIVEY Jan. 28, 1930. 5, sw ET AL SHEET FEEDER Filed Jan. 2, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY Patented Jama 2 8, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

GEORGE SWART, OF HACKENSACK, NEW JERSEY, AND HARRY EHLIG, OI! PEARL RIVER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO DEXTER FOLDER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK SHEET Application filed January 2 1925. Serial No. 77.

Our invention relates generally to improved sheet-feeders used for automatically separating and forwarding successive sheets of paper or other impression-receiving material to printing, folding or ruling machines, or' to such other types of machines as are devised to operate thereafter on such sheets. I i' r The objects of our invention are, among other things, mainly to provide a sheet-feeder of this character having a simplified de-' sign and embodying therein separate mechr anisms capable of performing rapid and efficient work in separating sheets of difierent sizes as well as of varying thicknesses and grades, and such mechanisms also being very sensitive in action under different conditions of-sheet-separation, yet they are not likely to get out of order, and may be readily shifted and adjusted for different runs by'the operator. These devices are preferably incorporated in afeeder of the continuous type in which the-sheets are separated and advanced from thejfront top portion of a fanned-out bankofpaper .on the feed=board.

With these aims in vlewwe have deviseda front-edge feeder having a novel and im-' proved suction feeding-off device Which-is usuallygarranged' in pairs across the feeder,

the operation of each device being controlled by a separate cut-out finger. located between the usualfeed-rolls and actuated by the sheet advancedto" limit the forward movement of the suction feeding-01f device and also to control the shutting off of the 'suction from such device promptly to release the advancing sheet when seized by the feed-rolls.

. A further-feature is to embody in such a feeder a rotatable suctionfed-wheel which willibeautomat'ically raised and lowered in each cycle to pick up and feed off the suc- -c'essive sheets, with novel mechanisms to con 1 trol .theitiming of the rotary movement of the. wheel so that the front f margin of the top sheet is seized by the wheel while at rest, and

immediately thereafter such wheel is lifted and begins- '1 ;s.% sheet-forwarding rotary moveprovide improved means not only to vary the devices for sheets of different lengths, but' also to enable the'suction feedwheel to rotate continuously whereby a continuous separation of the sheets from the bank is ensured.

A further feature is to provide an automatic resetting device for the cut-out finger which controls the intermitting of the suction in th feed-wheel with means to adjust theposition of-this finger between the feedrolls so as to predeterminedly advance or retard the cutting off of the suction applied to the feed-wheel, combined with a novel device automatically lifting and holding the cut-out finger in upraised position ofi the body of the sheet which has been seized'and is being advanced b the feed-rolls.

A furt er feature is to provide an improved form of suction cut-off valve mounted in the suction shoe which rides on..the inner rim of the suction feed-wheel, which valve will function effectively in its opening and closin to atmosphere'without in any way distur ing the exhaust pressure normally maintained in the pipe and arm connections leading to the suction shoe, thereby providing anex'cepti'onally rapid and certain control in the action of the feed-wheel in picking up and afterwards in releasing the sheets.

A further feature isjto provide a simplified device for adjusting the height' of the ver tically movable suction feed-wheel relatively to the bank of sheets so as to allow for stock of varying thickness, combined with means by which the feed-wheel may set in a fixed osition for continuous separation and feedmg, or may be allowed tobe automatically raised and lowered in each cycle in picking up a sheet .while the wheel is at rest, followed by its lifting movement and subsequent rotation in separating and advancing the 1 members are greatly simplified in form, ar-

rangement and'interaction, in'the performance of their intended functions under varying conditions of usage with different kinds of paper stock, all of which will be hereinafter described and then particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The accompanying drawings show our improvements in their preferred embodiment in a continuous sheet-feeder; such improvements, however, are not to be restricted to any particular type of sheet-feeder, as these features of inventionmay be incorporated in various forms of feeders with similar advantages and results.

Of the drawings, Fig. 1 is an end elevation of our feeder illustrating the suction feeding-off devices and looking from the rear end forwardly, with a portion of the suction feed-wheel operating mechanism shown in cross-section Fig. 2 is a section takenvon the line 2-2 of Fi *1 showing the driving gears for the cam-shaft Fig. 3 is a section taken on' the line 3-3 of Fi 1 showing the suction feed-wheel with the cut-out finger and resetting devices therefor, the operation of the finger being illustrated in outline;

Fig. 4 is a section taken of Fig.1 showing the mechanism for rotatin the feed-wheel; V

ig. 5 is a section taken on the line 55 of Fi 1 showing how the suction feed-wheel may be held fixed in its raised position or the timing of the lowering of the wheel may be predeterminedly varied and controlled;

Flg. 6 is a 'section taken on the line 66 of Fig. 1 showin the mechanism for periodically raising and lowering the suction feedwheel relatively to the bank of sheets, the adjustable cam-plate shown in Fig. 5 being omitted;

Fig. 7 is a detail section on the line 7'7 of Fig. 3 showing the cut-out finger which controls the suction cut-off in the feed-wheel; and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section on-the line.

88 of Fig. 3 showing the suction shoe and the control barrel valve with operating mech anism for the latter.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several figures.-

Referring to the drawings, the side frames 9 and 10 of the feeder are suitably supported on standards (not shown) and secured between the side-frames 9 and 10 is the feed board 11 over which travel a series of feedbelts 12 to advance the fanned-out bank of sheets 13 along the feed-board 11. The belts 12 (only onebeing shown in Fig. 6) pass forwardly around the drum 14 mounted on the cross-shaft 15 journalled in 'suitablebear- 'ings in the side-frames 9 and 10. The shaft 15 carries the ratchet 16 by which the feedbelts 12 are intermittently advanced overthefeed-board 11 to carry the bank of fannedout sheets 13 to the sheet separating and feedside-frames 9 an on the line ing devices arranged across the front edge chine and are adjustable laterally in the machine; a description of one set of such devices w1ll be sufliclent, since both sets are built and o erate in a similar manner. The" main cam-s aft 17 extends across the feeder and is suitably su ported in bearings in the 10 as shown in Fi 1. This shaft 17 is driven in a clockwise direction' (Fig. 2) by the gear 18 secured thereto, which gear 18 engages the pinion 19 mounted on the stub shaft 20 secured in the side-frame 10; the pinion 19 meshes with the gear 21 affixed to the stub-shaft 22 on which is mounted the gear 23Jneshing with the idler gear 24 which is driven by another idler gear 25 which engages the gear 26 secured to the main ower shaft 27 suitably journalled in the si e-frames 9 and 10 (the left endof the shaft 27 being broken off in Fig. 1. The arrows in Fig. 2 show the respective directions of rotation of the several gears and pinions with the power shaft 27 rotated in an anticlockwise direction (Fig. 3).

Extending across the feeder between the side-frames 9 and 10 is the tie-shaft 28, on which are rotatably secured the rock-arms 29 and 30 in the forward ends of which arms are journalled the outer ends of the feed-wheel shaft 31 held in position by the collars 32 (Fig. 1). Afiixed to the shaft 31 are the suction feed-wheels 33 (two being shown in Fig.1), the rim 34 of each wheel 33 having spaced-apart perforations 35 preferably arranged in staggered relation as shown in Fig. 1; the suction-shoe 36 with its nozzle 37 rides along the inner face of the rim 34 (Figs. 3 and 8), and is held in position on the end of the hollow arm 38 connected to the cross suction-tube 39 suitably secured in the side frames 9 and 10. The nozzle 37 registers intermittently with the successive perforations 35 in the feed-wheels 33 as the latter are rotated in a clockwise direction (Figs. 3 and 4). The required suction to operate the feedwheel 33 is applied to the tube 39 by any suitable air-exhausting means not shown. The forward portion of the top sheet from the bank 13 adheres to the exterior surface of the rim 34 opposite the nozzle 37 (Fig. 3) and is separated and advanced to the bite of the usual lower feed-roll 40 and upper droproll 41 by the wheel 33.

The feed-roll 40 is rigidly mounted on the main power-shaft 27 (Figs. 1 and 3), while 6 bank 13 are kept separated by a blast'of air from the nozzle 45 mounted on the pipe 46 connected with any suitable air pump not shown.

Means are provided to rotate the suction feed-wheel 33 either continuously or with a partial revolution which may be -varied in extent and controlled according to sheets of difierent lengths.

volving cam-shaft 17 .by the set-screw 48 (Figs. 1 and 4); the collar 47 carries the pawl-arm 49 having pivoted thereto the pawl 50 forced downwardly by the spring 51 to engage the ratchet 52 secured to the sleeve 53 which is j ournalled on the bushing 54 carried by the cam-shaft 17 as shown in Fig. 1. The tie-shaft 28 carries the supporting arm 55 to which is removably secured the stationary cam 56 arranged adjacent to the ratchet 52; the pawl 50 has pinned thereto the cam roller 57 which rides on the cam 56 by the" force of the spring 51 as the pawl-arm 49 revolves in a clockwise direction (Fig. 4). Journalled on the sleeve 53 is the gear 58 which engages the gear 59 pivoted to the end of the arm 60, and'the gear 59 drives the gear 61 afiixed to the collar 62 keyed to the feedwheel shaft31, the arrows in Fig. 4 indicating the respective directions of revolutionv of the several gears and the'feed-wheel 33. When the cam-roller 57 rides along the drop of the cam 56, the pawl 50 engages the ratchet 52 to revolve the wheel 33; when the camroller 57 rides out the drop of the cam 56,

the pawl 50 is disengaged from the ratchet 52 and the wheel 33 is no longer actuated to advance the sheets. Adjustably secured to the side of the cam 56 is-the cam-plate 63 which may be shifted about the sleeve 53- and 'held in any position by the set-screw 64 passing through the arcuate slot 65 cut in the plate 63 and tapped in the side of the'cam 56. By shifting the cam-plate 63 the extent of the drop of the cam 56 may be raised to properly fix the peripheral distance of the partial revolution of the feed-wheel 33 to accommodate sheets of different lengths.

We also have provided means to enable the feed-wheel 33 to revolve continuously in order that the successive sheets may vanced from the bank 13 in a continuous flow. The cam 56 is released from its engagement with the sleeve 53 and shifted to the left in Fig; 1 so that the cam-roller 57 will no longer ride on the cam 56.and the pawl '50 will be forced downwardly in locking engagement with the ratchet 52 to forma positive opera- .tive connection between the cam-shaft 17 and commodate for banks of sheets of stock having different thicknesses and textures, combined with an ad] ustable device by which the In the present embodiment the split collar 47 is clamped to the re-' be ad-' feed-wheel 33 may be set in any fixed position relatively to the bank 13, or may be allowed to raise and lower in each cycle in picking up the top sheet from the fanned-out bank. Such means may be widely variedin structure andoperation. In the present embodiment shown in Figs. 1,- 5 and 6, the camshaft 17 has secured thereto the collar 66 to the strap 68 adjustably carries the cam-roller 7O pivoted on the pin 71 which is slidably held in the slot 72 by the cap-screw 73. The roller rides on the cam 67 and is held in engagement therewith by the weight of the rock-arm 29 and associated devices. The cam 67 is set in timed relation with the feed-wheel 33 so that the latter will be lowered to pick up the front margin of the top sheet at rest and then raised and simultaneously rotated forwardly to separate the top sheet and advance same to the cut-out finger or trip in the bite of the rolls 40 and41. Journalled on the collar 66 is the segmental cam-plate 74 having the arcuate slot 75 cut therein through which passes the set-screw 7 6 tapped into the cam 67 (Fig. 1), by which the drop of. the cam 67 may be'blocked off with the roller 70 riding on the dwellof the cam so as to hold the suction feed-wheel 33 in fixed position over the bank "which position may be adjusted vertically through shifting the pin 71 in the slot 72 to increase or diminish the effective length of the strap 68.

The means for intermittently advancing the bank of sheets 13 along the feed-board 11 may be widely varied: In the present embodimentshown in Figs. 1 and 6,- such devices comprise the box cam 77 secured to the camshaft 17, which cam is engaged by the camroller 78 pinned to the link 79 forked at its upper end to ride on the shaft-17, which link is pinned to the bell-crank lever 80 journalled Means are provided to shut off the suction from the nozzle 37 immediately upon the lifting of a cut-out finger or trip by the advancing sheet which means may be widely varied in structure and operation. In the resent embodiment, the bracket 83 carries th collar 84 at its lower end in which collar is fixed the cross-pin 85 (Fig. 7) on which is pivoted the rock-arm 86 to which is affixed the cut-out finger 87 the forward end being forked with the tips 88 riding in parallel grooves 89 formed in the lower feed-roll 40 as shown in:

Figs. 1 and 3.- Projecting below the rock-arm 86 from the collar 84 is the lug 90 having the adJusting cap-screw 91 threaded therein and swiveled in the arm 86 by which the position of vthe finger 87 in the grooves 89 may be shifted either to advance or retard the timing of the shutting-off of the suction in the nozzle 37. Projecting rearwardly from the collar 84 is the latch-arm 92 with its tip 93 bearing on the upper surface of the latch-plate 94 secured to the arm 95 affixed to the collar 96 which is fastened to the hollow barrel valve 97 telescoped within the bore 98 of the suction shoe 36 as shown in Fig. 8. The valve 97 has the slot 99 cut therein to register with the forward end of the hollow arm 38 when suction is to be applied to the nozzle 37. The collar 96 has also mounted thereon the arm 100 having pinned to its outer end the roller 101 which is forced by the spring 102 against the rocklever 103 pivoted on the pin 104 fastened to the bracket 83. Pinned to the upper end of the lever 103 is the cam-roller 105 which is forced against the cam 106 keyed to the camshaft 17 by the spring 107 which is of sufficient strength to overcome the spring 102 and cause the cam-roller 105 to follow the cam 106. The hub 108 of the cam 106 is cut with the groove 109 into which projects the plate 110 fastened to the support 111 which is adjustably held on the tie-shaft 28 by the setscrew 112 to provide a lateral adjustment between the sideframes 9 and 10. Referring to Fig. 3 when the finger 87 is moved to its dotted line position by the advanced sheet, the tip 93 of the latch-arm is dislodged from its engagement with the latch-plate 94 which is then free to swing upwardly in a clockwise direction under the force of the spring 102 to rock the valve 97 in the-bore 98 tothrow the slot 99 out of register with the bore of the hollow arm 38, thereby instantly cutting off the suction or exhaust pressure in the nozzle 37 and the sheet is released from the feed- Wheel 33. The cam 106 is so set on the shaft 17 that the roller .105 will ride out of the drop of the cam 106 when the cut-out finger 87 operates the latch-arm 92 to swing the rock-lever 103 rearwardly, and simultaneously the valve 97 is opened to suction in the arm 38. The latch-arm 92 will be reset on the latchlate 94 by the cam-roller 105 riding on the well of the cani 106 which makes a complete revolution in each cycle of the feed-wheel 33, as-

heretofore explained.

We have also provided novel means to lift and then hold the cut-out finger 87 or trip in its raised position off the body of the advanced sheet while forwarded by the feed-f rolls 40 and 41: Referring to Fig. 3, the rear side of the arm 92 has the cam-surface 113 formed thereon which is adapted to be engaged by the tip 114 of the latch-plate 94, as the tip 114 is swung upwardly toithe dotted line position when the suction is shut off from the feed-wheel 33. By this device the trip finger'87 is readily maintained in its lifted dottedline position until the tail end of the 33 have been lowered in a state of rest, and

suction has been applied to the nozzle 37, the top sheet is picked up as shown in Fig.3 and then the wheels 33 are raised and simultaneously begin their rotations (partial or otherwise) by the mechanisms heretofore described and shown particularlyin Figs. 1, 2 and 4.

When the top sheet has adhered to the wheels they are immediately lifted from the bank 13 when the roller passing out of the drop of the cam 67 (Fig. 6) lifts the strap68 with the wheels 33 moving from the dotted line to the full line posistion shownin Fig. 6. As soon asthe leading edge of the sheet has been advanced by the revolving wheels 33- so that it lifts the cut-out finger 87 with the sheet in position to be seized by the feed-rolls 40 and 41, the tip 93 of the latch arm 92' is drawn off the latch-plate 94 which immediately snaps upwardly from the full line to the dotted line position in Fig. 6 under the force of the spring 102 (the arm 103 having already been moved to its dotted line position in Fig. 3) which movement rocks the barrel valve 97 in a clockwise direction (Fig. 3) to shut off the suction from the nozzle 37 without disturbing or destroying the exhaust pressure in the hollow arm 38 and suction tube 39, thereby ensuring a quick release of the sheet from the wheels 33 after the sheet has been seized by the feed-rolls 40 and 41. As the latch plate 94 snaps upwardly its tip 114 rides up the cam-surface 113 of the arm 95 thereby holding the finger 87 off the body of the sheet as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3. As the tail end of the sheet is passing through the feed rolls 40 and 41, the roller 105 will ride into the drop of the cam 106 thereby forcing the rock-lever 103 from its dotted line to full line position (Fig. 3) which simultaneousl opens the valve 97 to restore the suction to t e nozzle '37 and resets the tip 114 of the latch plate 94 below the tip 93 of the latch arm 92 which movement lowers the cut-out finger 87 into operative position with the tips 88 in the grooves 89 as shown in Fig. 1. This movement places the suction shoe 36 again under suction in readiness for the feed-wheels 33 to take up the next sheet in the succeeding cycle of operation; the shuttin off of the suction being directly controlled' by the actuation of the cut-out finger by the advancing sheet. The foregoing constructions embody the essential features and principles of our invention'as embodied in a continuous sheet-feeder an adjustable cut-out finger enables our im-- proved feeder to separate and forward sheets of stock of varying grades of thickness and quality with great rapidity and certainty without smearing or damaging the successive sheets. Manifestly various changes may be made in the structural details of our feeder without departing from the scope of our improvements or sacrificing its chief advantages. However the foregoing is sufficient to disclose the underlying principles and features of the invention as particularly applied to a continuous sheet-feeder.

We claim asour invention 1. In a sheet-feeder, a suction feed-member intermittently rotatable only in one direction for advancing sheets forwardly from a pile of sheets, and means for lowering said member to the 'pile to pick up a sheet and for thereafter raising and simultaneously rotating said member.

2. In a sheet-feeder, a suction feed-member intermittently rotatable only in one direction for advancing sheets forwardly from. a fanned-out bank, and means for lowering said member to the bank to pick up a sheet and for thereafter raising and simultaneously rotating said member in each cycle of movement.

' 3. In a sheet-feeder, a suction feed-mem- '-ber intermittently rotatable only in one direc- 'ber intermittently rotatable only in one direction for advancing sheets forwardly from tion for advancing sheets forwardly from a fanned-out bank, and means operable through the continued movement of the feeder for lowering said member while at rest to the bank to pick up a sheet and for'thereafter raising and simultaneously rotating said member.

4. In a sheet-feeder, a suction feed-mema fanned-out bank, and means operable through the continued movement ofthe feeder for-lowering said member while at rest to the bank to pick up a sheet and for thereafter raising and simultaneously rotating said member in each cycle of movement.

5. In a sheet-feeder, a rotary'suction feedmember' for advancing successive sheets for-' wardly from a pile of sheets, means for lowering said member while at rest to pick up a sheet and for thereafter raising and simultaneously rotating said member, and means for varying-the extent of the rotary movement of said member.

6. In a sheet-feeder, a rotary suction'feedmember for advancing successive sheets forwardly from a fanned out bank,-means for lowering said member while at rest to pick connect said means from said member to control the peripheral movement thereof.

8. In a sheet-feeder, a rotatable suction feed-member for advancing successive sheets forwardly from a fanned-out bank, means for lowering and raising said member and starting the rotation of said member during its lifting movement, and adjustable means to variably disconnect said means from said member to control the peripheral movement thereof.

9. In a sheet-feeder, a rotary suction feed- 7 member for advancing successive sheets forwardly from a pile of sheets, means for lowering and raising said memberto and from said pile and startin the rotation of said member during its liftin movement, and means to vary the extent of the rotary movement of said member.

10. In a sheet-feeder, a rotary suction feedmember for advancing successive'sheets forwardly from a fanned-out bank, means for lowering and raising said member to and from said bank, in each cycle of said member and starting the rotation of said member during its liftln movement, and means to vary the extent of the rotary movement of said member.

11. In a sheet-feeder, a rotary suction feedmember for advancin successive sheets forwardly from a fanne -out bank, means for movement of said member.

13. In a sheet-feeder, a suction feed-member rotatable only in one direction for advancing successive sheets forwardly from a pile of sheets, means to lower said member to successive sheets for and raising said member to and said pile while at rest, and means for raising said member and simultaneously rotating said member.

14. In a sheet-feeder, a suction feed-member rotatable only in one direction for advancing successive sheets forwardly from a fanned-out bank, means to lower said member to said bank to pick up a sheet while at rest, and separate means for raising said member and sheet and simultaneously rotating said member to advance said sheet.

15. In a sheet-feeder, a rotatable suction feed-member for advancing successive sheets forwardly from a fanned-out bank, means for lowering and raising said member to and from said bank, means to rotate said mem ber, and means to variably disconnect said rotating means from said member to predeterminedly vary the extent of its rotative movement.

16. In a sheet-feeder, a rotatable suction feed-member for advancing successive sheets forwardly from a fanned-out bank, means for lowering and raising said member to and from said bank, in each cycle of said member, means to rotate said member, and means to variably disconnect said rotating means from said member to predeterminedly vary the extent of its rotative movement.

17. In a sheet-feeder, a rotatable suction feed-member for advancing successive sheets forwardly from a fanned-out bank, means for lowering and raising said member to and from said bank, while at rest, means to rotate said member, and means to variably disconnect said rotating means from said member to predeterminedly vary the extent of its rotative movement.

18. In a sheet-feeder, a rotatable suction feed-member for advancing successive sheets forwardly from a fanned-out bank, means for lowering and raising said member to and from said bank, while at rest, means to rotate said member when raised from the bank,and means to variably disconnect said rotating means from said member to predeterminedly vary the extent of its rotative movement.

19. In a sheet-feeder, an intermittently ro, tatable suction feed-member for advancing successive sheets forwardly from a fannedout bank, and means for varying the height of said member from the bank to accommodate for stock of different thicknesses.

20. In a sheet-feeder, a feed-member rotatable only in one direction for advancing sheets forwardly from a pile of sheets, means for lowering said member to the pile while at rest so as to pick up a sheet, means for thereafter raising and rotating saidmember, and means for varying the height of said memberfrom the sheets to accommodate for stock of different thicknesses.

lowering said member to the fanned-out bank to pick up a sheet, means for thereafter raising and rotating said member forwardly, and means for varying the height of said member from the sheets to accommodate for stock of different thicknesses.

22. In a sheet-feeder, a suction feed-member for advancing successive sheets forwardly from a pile of sheets, means for imparting a variable rotary movement in one direction to said member less than a complete revolution, and means for varying the height of said member from the sheets to accommodate for stock of different thicknesses.

23. In a sheet-feeder, a suction feed-member for advancing successive sheets forwardly from a fanned-out bank, means for imparting a predeterminedly variable rotary movement to said member less than a complete revolution, and means for varying the height of said member from the sheets to accommodate for stock of different thicknesses.

'24:. In a sheet-feeder, a suction feed-member for advancing successive sheets forwardly from a pile of sheets, means for imparting variable rotary movements to said member, and means for varying the height of said member from the sheets to accommodate for stock of different thicknesses,

25. In a sheet-feeder,'a suction feed-member for advancing successive sheets forwardly from a fanned-out bank, means for imparting predeterminedly variable rotary movements to said member, and means for varying the height of said member from the sheets to accommodate for stock of different thicknesses in each cycle.

26. In a sheet-feeder, a suction feed-member for advancing successive sheets forwardly from a fanned-out bank, means for imparting rotary. movements to said memher other than a complete revolution in each cycle, andinterchangeable means for continuously rotating said member.

27. In a sheet-feeder, a suction feed-member for advancing the successive sheets, means for lowering and raising said member to and from the sheets, means for imparting rotary movements to said member other than a complete revolution in each cycle, and interchangeable means for continuously rotating said member.

28. In a sheet-feeder, a suction feed-member for advancing the successive sheets, means for lowering and raising said member to and from the sheets, means for impartin an intermittent rotary movement to said member other than a complete revolution, and interchangeable means for continuously rotating said member.

. 29. In a sheet-feeder, a suction feed-mem-- ber for advancing the successive sheets, means for lowering and raising said member to and from the sheets, means for imparting an intermittent rotary movement to said member other than a. complete revolution and in one direction only, and interchangeable means for continuously rotating said member.

30. In a sheet-feeder, a suction feed-member for advancing the successive sheets,

means for lowering and raising said member to and from the sheets, means for imparting a variably intermittent rotary mo'vement to said member other than a complete revolution, and interchangeablemeans for contin- 1 uously rotating said member.

31. In a sheet-feeder, a suction feed-member for advancing the. successive sheets, means for lowering and raising said member to and from the sheets, means for imparting a variably intermittent rotary movement to said member other than a complete revolution'and in one direction only, and interv changeable means for continuously rotating said member. v

GEORGE R. SWART. HARRY EHLIG. 

